One of the most effective ways to differentiate between the Flu and Mycoplasma is to look at how the illness affects the rest of your body beyond the lungs. The seasonal flu is a systemic illness; it doesn’t just attack your throat, it attacks your entire vitality.
Patients typically report “rigors” (uncontrollable shivering), profound muscle aches in the lower back and legs, and a sensitivity to light. Mycoplasma, conversely, tends to stay “localized” in the respiratory system for a much longer period. While you may feel tired, you generally won’t experience the intense body-wide “crushing” sensation associated with the flu.
However, Mycoplasma is famous for its “paroxysmal” cough—sudden, violent fits of coughing that can be so intense they lead to chest wall soreness or even cracked ribs in extreme, untreated cases.
The Dangers of Diagnostic Delay
Delaying a professional diagnosis at MyDoctor can lead to a phenomenon known as “post-infectious hyper-reactivity.” If a Mycoplasma infection is mistaken for a viral flu and left untreated by the correct antibiotics, the bacteria continue to irritate the bronchial tubes.
Treating a virus with antibiotics—or a bacterial infection with antivirals—won’t help you recover. Consult with a MyDoctor Physician to get an accurate diagnosis and start the correct medication today.